Coimbatore corporation budget allocates Rs 627.94 crore for climate resilience

COIMBATORE: Coimbatore corporation’s budget for the financial year 2026-27, which was presented by R Ranganayaki on Monday, has allotted a total of Rs 627.94 crore for long-term climate resilience.

The “climate budget” saw allocation of Rs 518.68 crores for water resources management and revitalisation which include restoring public wells, rejuvenation of Singanallur and Senkulam lakes and establishing sewage treatment plants along the Noyyal river. Rs 122.50 crore has been allocated to urban greening and biodiversity while Rs 7.50 crore has been set aside for climate adaptation and heat mitigation. The focus is on rainwater harvesting and cool roof projects.

A corporation official said the proposed plans would run for the next five years. The budget allocation is for one year which will be renewed with additional inputs in the forthcoming years.

The official said, "The floating solar panel project which has become operational at the Ukkadam Periyakulam is part of this climate project. As an extension an additional 20 MW floating solar panel has been planned. The calculation is that the energy produced by these solar panels will be compensated for the energy used at a sewage treatment plant, either at Singanallur or Ondipudur."

He said the corporation had created a climate cell.


The corporation had earlier identified urban heat islands within its limits and prepared a database with framework on adaptation and reduction.

The official added, "Though a framework has been created, grassroot level understanding of climate resilience is a challenge. So, simplified mitigation methods are being prepared. A separate dashboard for the climate cell is being created. In the first phase, we are planning to reduce the rooftop heat of the corporation buildings by terrace gardening, installation of solar panels and other ideas. In the second phase, we've planned to expand it further to other private buildings."

Corporation commissioner M Sivaguru Prabakaran said climate resilient projects were categorised into various types that indirectly contribute to the reduction of carbon emissions. He said, "The 24/7 project itself is a climate resilient model which reduces the water wastage and the amount of carbon emitted to pump the excess water.”

“Tree plantation and development of new parks are all considered a climate resilient project because they contribute to urban green spaces. We have planned Miyawaki forests in 100 parks in the upcoming financial year. A detailed project report for at least 50 parks is ready," he added.